Definitely, everybody knows THEM… One of them is the King of Supermarkets, the other one – the King of Real Estate.

George Trefilov,
Ex-president of the "MARTA" Holding

Sergey Polonskiy
Ex-president of the "MIRAX GROUP"

However very few people know that they are old bosom friends.

S.Polonskiy and G.Trefilov

So "friends will be friends" and they really have a lot in common, e.g. economic "bubbles" and Ponzi games as a money making method.
They also have the same problems and even the same criminal offence - large scale fraud (RF Criminal Rule 159, part 4).

… even the way of solving these problems is also the same for both of them – Escape from Russia.

The slight difference is that the King of Supermarkets flies to the UK, London
and the King of Real Estate - to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the eight islands.

G.Trefilov with his wife J.Trefilova
at the newsical "The Citizen Poet" Queen Elizabeth II
Conference Centre, London

S.Polonskiy with Martha,
the monkey, island Koh Dek Koul, Cambodia

All fine and dandy, but the two friends were put on the international wanted list of Interpol, so no enjoyment of mild climate and "honest" money for our friends.

Video record of Trefilov's provocation
with ex-public prosecutor V. Gvozdev:- So what's the final figure?
- One , so far.

Polonskiy in the Cambodian prison
charged with a mockery
of Cambodian seamen

Obviously, it's much easier to solve the problems of kings than for lesser mortals. The Kings are surrounded with support, money, lawyers, and they even have their own island. All this means is that they can avoid the criminal and civil responsibility in a so called "lawful way". So the friends decided to take their advantages.

However, here each of them chooses his own road, but, as you'll see later, the roads of our Heroes will cross again. While in the UK, on the advice of his lawyers and with their help, the King of Supermarkets wins (almost legally) his extradition lawsuit, having declared himself the victim of the political regime, raiding and corruption (well, his lawyers are really keen on their job! ! ! )

Meanwhile the King of Real Estate conjures a more outrageous and challenging performance. On the New Year's Eve, on his own yacht, he and his friends throw the Cambodian seamen overboard. This act made him go to a local "toy" jail, avoiding the real harsh Russian prison. Hurrah, the goal is achieved! ! !

Lewis city prison, where
Trefilov waited for court hearing,
being charged with using
false documents.

Trefilov at the building of the Westminster
court after the announcement
of the British court decision.

At the same time the King of Supermarkets, inspired with his victory, having lost his inhibitions and, probably, believing himself in his innocence, warms to the role of another person. He easily and elegantly changes his name and identity (naturally, just for a while) for Andreas Natatinos, the citizen of Greece, and flies to Spain on his royal business.

However the frontier guards distinguish a spoof in this "transformation". They are sure that the King of Supermarkets himself is standing before them - not an unknown Greek! (Just like in Scheherazade's fairy tales … If you remember Harun al-Rashid preferred to stay incognito, too... )

They both get released almost at the same time, shaken but unhurt. However, Trefilov was put on probation. Well, what's next? Russian Investigation Committee and the Interpol don't calm down. Being stubborn, they don't want to understand that Kings shouldn't go to prison and sleep on plank beds. Absolutely no respect for the royal status … With the help of their expensive lawyers (what could they do without them?) our Heroes decide to embody a their new bright idea. They launch a new mass media project and start disseminating memes everywhere, worldwide – to declare themselves martyrs, victims of lawlessness, political prisoners …To seem innocent. Unworldly. Deceived. Almost children … As the historical experience shows us, monarchs often happen to be very infantile, giddy-pated and indiscriminating. The Kings dance and the commoners must pay the fiddler. That perfectly describes the situation. This thought doesn't leave you when you read Trefilov's interview full of helpless explanations (see the article about it below) or watch Polonskiy's reality show, especially the striptease performed by him.

Moreover, both decided to appeal to the human rights activists. Just by that time, those, charged in Russia with their royal Criminal Rule 159, were decriminalized. So they both ask for help the ombudsman, B. Titov, who was also the author of the amnesty bill

B.Titov, author of the act of amnesty
for the economic crimes, is speaking in support of Trefilov

Trefilov in the BBC studio with the Russian fairy-tale
about the Russian bogatyr and the false passport story

Polonskiy's interview about his innocence

As we all know, fairy tales are invented to make their heroes run into the most improbable things. The King of Supermarkets was so magically convincing that B. Titov believed not only in his innocence, but also in the fact that Trefilov's criminal prosecution had been lasting for almost 10 years! Although everybody knows that his case was opened in 2009. Magic - that's the only explanation! Polonskiy is constantly demanding the ambassador, deputies and others (probably, in his opinion, those of the royal household) to be sent to his island. Trefilov openly asks for the President's security as "his, Trefilov's, legal transaction with the German partner was on a higher level". Well, indeed, what's going on? Isn't it really clear that the Kings won't go to the mere mortals?

Definitely, they could have paid off their debts. Still, don't forget that they are children! How and where can they get money now? They have played with it and now they don't know where it has gone. Moreover, it's quite expensive, all this staff: courts, kings' attributes, islands, scenes of fight with seamen, journalists, televised addresses and lawyers in private use … What about serious explanations? Actually, that's not the royal business. Now judge for yourself – Kings' speeches remind of a provincial drama theater where one actor underacts and the other one is a finger-wringer.

Nevertheless, to be honest, at least they say something, or rather murmur. First of all, their speeches are full of horror stories (I do tell you, they are children!). Polonskiy, as he says, was "carted off" by the lawyer. Yes, things do happen, but what does it have to do with all those real estate investors? And where is their money and apartments? By the way, both Kings constantly lower the sum of the debt. So, on the BBC channel Trefilov speaks about 1 billion rubles, although in his criminal case it's already 1,9 billion rubles. At the same time Polonskiy reassures us that his debt is only 2 billion while officially it's 5,7 billion rubles).

The essence of all their "legends" is certainly the Russian national fairy tales. Once upon a time Trefilov had a good business, but then the outlandish partners came, set sights on it, cheated Trefilov and made him bankrupt. Actually all this could be so ridiculous, if it wasn’t so sad. A story of another "raiding", which happened earlier in Trefilov’s life, can be a perfect illustration of these words. A high-profile scandal between Trefilov and the ex-deputy M. Vasilyev broke in 2005. This scandal was a result of the commercial transaction according to which Trefilov became the owner of the "Prodmak", a traiding chain that previously belonged to M. Vasilyev.

This transaction ended with the initiation of a criminal case in relation to M.Vasilyev and others. This criminal case was initiated after Trefilov had sent his petition to the Investigation Committee and after the deputy G. Gudkov had addressed R. Nurgaliyev, who was at that time the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Gudkov personally and repeatedly demanded "to handle" this case. What we remember this process for is the statement of the defendant M. Vasilyev and his lawyers about a repeated attempts of extortion made by Trefilov and the "MARTA" Holding representatives. Trefilov wanted 25 million dollars from the accused for " the possible termination of the criminal case". Vasilyev also mentioned numerous contraventions during the investigation.

It's particularly remarkable that human rights activists' attention, including L. Alekseeva's Moscow Helsinki group, which supported M. Vasilyev and other accused, was attracted to the course of the investigation and to the process itself. Also there were several petitions to the ECtHR. They were based on the legal defence position that the suit, which was extremely civil and had been judged ealrlier, was obviously framed-up. Moreover, in the defence's opinion, the case was absurd in its essence and created a dangerous legal precedent for the law enforcement agencies intervention into the sphere of civil and commercial relations.

After Trefilov's bankruptcy and the initiation of the criminal case in relation to him, Mr Gudkov publicly recognized that, according to him, he "didn't see the situation clearly, knew little and supposed it was necessary to interfere, because "MARTA"'s cooperation with the German giant company REWE, which took place in 2005, was of strategic importance for Russia's economic development, and also it could have strengthened the Russia - Germany partnership". What we have to do now is sincerely hope that our dear business ombudsman will handle "this case" much earlier than the ex-deputy Gudkov did - before Trefilov does something "of economic importance" for Russia again. Judging by S. Polonskiy's angry statements, which concern "Kutuzovsky Mile" and the founder of the project, who has left behind this unfinished object and "shareholders", the human rights activist is already done with the case of the King of Real Estate. Indeed it is so. Nowadays the ex-deputy Gudkov is an eager oppositionist (so called, "bolotnyj" - from the name of the square Bolotnaja, where opposition rallies took place) and Trefilov is in hiding. After numerous appellate reviews M. Vasilyev is set free on parole and demands the rehabilitation.

However, as one can see from the ex-deputy G. Gudkov answer, Trefilov's four-year relations with the German partner created for him perfect conditions for cooperation not only with the business and bank community representatives but also with the defence and law enforcement agencies and mass media… Trefilov's present, obviously, political exploitation of the corruption and raider aspect in his case, involuntarily offers us an idea that both cases have too much in common and too many mirroring features. Maybe it's the God's will, - punishing the King or maybe there's not enough "plots" to play something new.

Meanwhile Polonskiy decided to use his companion's successful "subject of corruption" experience. Actually, it would be a sin not to give ear to this story (with the ex-prosecutor Gvozdev), thanks to which the King of Supermarkets has recently declared himself completely innocent. That's absolutely right and can't be otherwise! We have the situation when one of the supervising prosecutors allowed himself to accept a bribe from a person under investigation - and this guilt is yet to be found true. So, according to the royal logic of our heroes, the whole investigation made by the Investigative Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia is a "designed case".

We won't comment on consistency of conclusions and the level of intelligence itself of this so called "business – elite", for we'll return to it later. Now it's better to attract the readers' attention to the method with which the King of Real Estate uses this experience. Strangely enough, our King didn't even bother his lawyers for "negotiations" with the Investigative Committee. This provocative act was arranged right then and there, in Cambodia. After Israel had refused to grant Polonskiy with its citizenship, it was necessary to find a way out of the difficult position where he's still on the list of Interpol and Russia's still demanding his extradition. The King's nerves were shot, which lead to a new shade of corruption. The name of the Cambodian criminal "octopus" is Mr Buntkhal, who isn't just an unknown Cambodian, but is undersecretary of state in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Cambodia. It can be clearly seen on the video that the conversation is, frankly speaking, cooked up. Polonskiy is obviously is playing to the gallery: making faces, cheering about calling the Cambodian official on something, like a lie - exactly in the same way it was earlier done by Trefilov during the conversation with Gvozdev by Skype. Moreover, this "octopus" offers … one million dollars too! Really, what's the point in inventing something, when there is a proven scheme already! By the way, the Cambodian didn't confirm the sum of a bribe and even didn't pronounce the word "money". But that's of no importance! The main aim is to be anywhere, but the Russian prison! Kings have other horizons. Peer through, dear reader… according to S. Polonskiy, "Alpha males" of the Russian economy look just like this...

Trefilov's videointerview with a tale about corruption
and the "enemies of the people" (A.Mamontov's TV programme "In Hiding", 2013)

Videorecording with Polonskiy,
provoking the Cambodian official mr Buntkhal

G. Trefilov is of the same opinion: "It's really necessary to change something in the "conservatory", otherwise the best people of the country will have to leave Russia and go here, to London or elsewhere worldwide…" What a confluence of opinions. Have you got it? It means, that should be protected, but these angry men don't understand it and launch criminal investigations! Well, what I personally hear from our Kings is such a message: "And don't even cry afterwards, for you'll see, without us your economy won't work". However, I'm not sure whether you hear the same. I don't know. The thoughtful reader, of course, will say:

"Obviously, your Kings are swindlers! They took away the money, they aren't going to give it back and they don't want to head for jail". However, this unwillingness is more than clear to the mere mortals… Is there a thief who wants to? The question is: why is there so such noise about it? Complaints, squabbles, courts, "backstabbings" and mass media? My answer is that they aren't just simply swindlers: "I stole, I ran away!" Not at all! They are Kings. Both extravagant "royal" ambitions and vanity demand the world glory (even the doubtful king). So it means, they must hold the stage, their names must appear in newspapers. Trefilov, for example, uses his old publications for he doesn't have new ones); they are discrediting the Homeland from the TV and YouTube screen. I mean, at first they rob this very Homeland, and then they levy blackmail and scream so that the entire civilized world could hear:

"Males, corruption, Gvozdev, officials-raiders! ! !", having presented the country with a dilemma: "Either you write off debts, dear Homeland, or all of the civilized world will see what your business elite is like."

By the way, the Homeland does pay. So, for example, Trefilov's unpaid debt in "Sviaz Bank" cost the state, making it redeem the Bank's debts, a vast deal of money (and so a cost to us, taxpayers), to be more exact, about 1 billion rubles. Besides that, the judicial inquiry substantiated the fact that it was a deliberately uncollectable account. What concerns Polonskiy - is the guarantee and promise of the new housing to his "shareholders", and the state assumes this responsibility. Really, this situation needs no comments.

I am sure, my reader, that by now you have already guessed: real Kings won't lower themselves in such a way. Also they won't dishonour their citizenship. Personal and total absence of shame "unmasks" both Kings. So what we see a demonstration to the world of a commotion in the nude on the islands, interview about a prison mattress supposedly stolen by the Cambodian chief of prison, the beating of poor sailors made in a deranged state by Polonskiy and his mates; habitual and impudent use of forged documents by Trefilov and archaically and asocially sounding justification of it in the Russian BBC studio, some kind of "folk" nonsense passing into a confused "blatnoi" criminal rap of a "graduate" of the Bauman university (is it really so?!), who could estimate the advantage of "back mind" living only in the emigration and the subsequent complaints "on poverty", which suddenly "fell" on him overnight. The list of such kind of things is extremely long, but there's no wish to speak about it at all. It's completely impossible to become impoverished just for one night, misters … One should be born down and outer. So, when one of the Kings is poor-mouthing and complaining about investigators in A. Mamontov's program, naming himself a "public enemy", the second one, having performed a provocation with a "bribe", escapes to the neighboring island, where he hides in the jungle and, at last, is arrested.

Polonskiy's arrest
at the Russian extradition request

Waiting in a local prison for an extradition, he writes his "Letters to God" where he asks to stop this lawlessness of investigators and mentions Magnitsky's list. Then he habitually posts his next "intellectual product" in the Internet … Well, that is in the sense what monarchs are "the anointed of the Lord". At least his appeal to God is logical, and formally it all fits, however, at first sight, it's not quite clear how Magnitskiy comes into the picture. The strong desire of both Kings to be in a political trend is easily explainable.

At first, in the recent past of the XX century, especially after Stalinist purges and punishment camps, when GULAG concepts "criminal" and "political" were antagonists, for the wide audience in Russia to be "political" meant to be "ideological", decent, to suffer innocently and sometimes to defend fearlessly the civil rights and freedoms. "Politicals" also gained recognition of a certain part of society in Russia (then the USSR), as well as of the political quarters of the foreign countries. More so, it was often western support that was quite powerful, including financial one…

In people's opinion, to be an open "political" actually means to be high-toned and honest, and in the western countries it also means to be a progressive member of society, a part of elite - whether it's economic, scientific or cultural and at the same time to be a representative of an officially "forbidden" but, as a rule, valuable social ideologies. Also it is worth noticing that Russia is justifiably proud of its many - so-called "politicals". Among them there are musicians - G. Vishnevskaya and S. Rostropovich, poet I. Brodsky, writers - V. N. Voynovich, S. D. Dovlatov; also in the lists of the Nobel prize winners there are academician A. D. Sakharov and writer A. I. Solzhenitsyn. All of them and many others have long ago become a part of the world cultural heritage, although there was a time when for their dissidence they were expatriated.

To be honest, it is unpleasant for me to speak about them here and now. It is embarrassing to mention their Names in the same context with persons, whose knowledge of the Russian spelling,
native language and culture contributions is insurmountable, next door to persons of complete ignorance.

Therefore we'll stay in our mock-heroic style and will return to the Kings. To get rid of a "criminal face" and to try on a "political" mask both for Polonskiy and Trefilov is, as it can be seen from the above, tempting and useful, first of all for social canonization of the martyrs image. They both could use an honourable international status.

Besides that, some kind of a "political" shade in a typical criminal prosecution (which might be unconvincing for Russia) - can create a "foolproof" alibi from the point of view of the western countries, in order to get their real support, as the King of Supermarkets managed to do.

Further more, having joined the political schemes, they continue blackmailing with the methods that have been already mentioned: using mass media to tell the world about the absence of the "legitimate base" in Russia, about the prosecution of rich businessmen from Forbes TOP100 (by the way, Trefilov has never been mentioned in this rating, although he said to the European mass media he belonged to it).

According to their words, these TOP 100 Russian businessmen are victimized by "totally corrupted" officials-monsters and security officers-raiders, thereby creating this well-known and favourable to certain forces in Russia and in the Western countries tension around the "investment climate" in Russia.

Thus, it is possible not to only to avoid any responsibility for the committed crimes endlessly. It is, as it's said, the bare minimum. In a perfect world this new "pyramid" of lies, contrary to the failed pyramid investment schemes of our heroes, shoud be eternal and profitable. Probably, that's the essential reason for the serious Royal enthusiasm of our Kings and for such a "flood" of these extensional and at the same time pointless, thoughtless and noncommittal interviews given by them to famous and unknown mass media, these doubtful photo shoots and "drama" performances in the public eye. It's useful for the Kings to mention in their memes "Magnitskiy's case" and other similar high-profile cases, as they feel a lack of respect or even a lack of sympathy and confidence. Without confidence, what on earth will they abuse? Moreover, as a result, where will they get money for living?

This place is empty so far, waiting for its "guests", who by hook or by crook have made many attempts not to be there. However "traps" of unresolved problems, which they fell into due to their own faults, hold both of them strongly, wherever they are – in England, Cambodia or the USA, which citizenship Polonskiy has been trying to obtain recently, still being in a prison of Phnom Penh. There is so much in common in the stories of our heroes that even the last program of A. Mamontov devoted to Polonsky was called "The Cambodian trap", while the name of the recent Trefilov's interview is "Then I fell into a trap". The noticeable similarity of characters and also the obviously "magical" for Polonskiy, sign of "Infinity" were the cause for this material. Considering the fact that at the same time with citizenship applications to many countries, according to mass media, the King of Real Estate lodged 17 complaints against his former partners and is going to get married again - all this fills us with dread that it's really going to last forever.